Cats

Take your cat for a low-stress visit to a feline-only clinic. Photo: mariposavet My friend Barbara brings her kit-and-caboodle to Connecticut Feline Medicine and Surgery. The way she tells it, there are a lot of pluses to going to a feline-only veterinary clinic. First, her cats don’t suddenly find themselves in a place full of

Know the pros and cons of vaccinating your dog or cat. Photo: Skitterphoto Vaccines save lives. They have changed the face of contagious disease like almost no other modern medical discovery. All animals and humans deserve to benefit from the protective power of vaccination when they are at risk for contracting a serious or fatal

Are female cats more affectionate? Or are male cats more affectionate? Photo: Bev Goodwin We always had cats when I was growing up. Our parents never said no, so my brother and I just kept dragging those cats and kittens back home with us — from our grandparents’ farm, from outdoor flea markets and occasionally from

If your cat is scared of the vet, practice at home by leaving the carrier open. Let your cat get used to it. Photo: someToast It’s no wonder your cat is scared of the vet! The truth is, cats are fearful of new people and new environments. This is built into their survival instincts. A

What’s involved when the veterinarian tells you your pet needs a dental procedure? Photo: robertwitcher At a family reunion recently, my cousin wanted to talk to me, a veterinarian, about her dog’s recent dental. She had just had a “dental” done, and my cousin began to go on and on about the price and how

Getting a cat to be more affectionate starts with keeping them healthy, happy and comfortable. Photo: ibjennyjenny Cats show their affection in different ways from dogs, which is disappointing for some people who were hoping for a cuddly, affectionate kitty. Although some cats are quite affectionate and will happily cuddle up in a warm lap,

Idexx Laboratories says its COVID-19 test for pets — called the Idexx SARS-CoV-2 RealPCR™ — is now available “for rare cases in consultation with your public health authority.” Photo: Petful I had mixed emotions when I first learned about a COVID-19 test for pets. All sorts of thoughts went through my head, such as: Do

When it comes to Easter baskets and pets, please be careful. Photo: Spiritze Who knew a rabbit could kill? If the Easter Bunny leaves a basket of chocolate treats where a dog can find it, things could end badly. Indeed, Easter baskets and pets should be kept well apart, or you risk to trip to

What happens to my pet if I catch COVID-19? Photo: Myriams-Fotos In a matter of weeks, the world has changed beyond anything any of us have seen before. Quarantines, supplies, food rationing and fear are the name of the game right now during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. For those of us with pets, that fear

Keep your gum away from your dog! Some types of chewing gum may contain an artificial sweetener that can cause xylitol poisoning in pets. Photo: Hans Xylitol poisoning in pets is on the rise. Anyone with a dog should be aware of xylitol and its potential to do harm. In this article, we will discuss:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it “has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.” However, although pets probably cannot become sick, they could serve as a “conduit” of viral infection. We explain more about this below. Photo: Lucia Romero COVID-19 is the name of the

If you’re grappling with an end-of-life decision about your pet, your trusted pet sitter may be able to offer some heartfelt advice and a shoulder to cry on. Photo: Klymenok Olena Research has shown something those of us with pets have known all along: Losing a pet is as difficult as losing a human loved